Barnet Council is under renewed pressure to carry out a full survey of repairs required to restore the dis-used Tudor Park cricket pavilion in New Barnet.
Overwhelming support for abandoned cricket pavilion to be restored with cafe and toilets
Author: Nick Jones
Mystery remains over lost battlefield site of 1471 Battle of Barnet
A report into the four-year project to discover the site of the 1471 Battle of Barnet explains why a team of military historians still cannot provide answers to the mystery surrounding the precise location of an epic confrontation during the Wars of the Roses.
Continue reading Mystery remains over lost battlefield site of 1471 Battle of Barnet
Open air production planned for Battle of Barnet play
The Bull Players’ performance of Fog of War — their contribution to the commemorations to mark the 550th anniversary of the Battle of Barnet — is to be staged in mid-September in the historic setting of the garden of Monken Hadley church.
Continue reading Open air production planned for Battle of Barnet play
Plans for war memorial centenary but cleaning will have to wait
A commemorative booklet has been published by Barnet Museum and Local History Society to mark the 100th anniversary of the erection of the Chipping Barnet war memorial.
Continue reading Plans for war memorial centenary but cleaning will have to wait
Another setback to plans for houses and flats in Whalebones fields and woods
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has decided not to overrule Barnet Council in the dispute over plans to redevelop the Whalebones fields and woodland with the construction of 152 new homes.
Continue reading Another setback to plans for houses and flats in Whalebones fields and woods
Hadley Highstone clean-up for Battle of Barnet anniversary
Cleaning and repairs to Hadley Highstone herald the start of what promises to be a year of events to mark the 550th anniversary of the Battle of Barnet which will include the return in September of the Barnet Medieval Festival.
Continue reading Hadley Highstone clean-up for Battle of Barnet anniversary
Monken Hadley’s great crested newts survive pipe-laying works
Gladsmuir pond, a much-loved feature of Monken Hadley Common, is being recolonised by smooth and great crested newts which are returning following their winter hibernation in the nearby woods and grassland.
Continue reading Monken Hadley’s great crested newts survive pipe-laying works
Tunnelling to protect gateway commemorating King George’s Field
Contractors laying a new water main across Monken Hadley Common have started the most delicate part of the work — constructing a 17-metre long tunnel under the historic arched gateway along the footpath that leads to King George’s Field.
Continue reading Tunnelling to protect gateway commemorating King George’s Field
Church concerts to herald revival of cultural events
Music lovers are in for a post-pandemic treat: plans are well advanced for a series of concerts at Barnet parish church in early July aimed to take advantage of a possible easing of lockdown.
Continue reading Church concerts to herald revival of cultural events
A snapshot of life among Barnet’s working class a century ago
Research by a local historian provides a fascinating insight into the occupations and everyday life over a century ago among the several hundred families who lived in a respectable working-class enclave close to Barnet town centre.
Continue reading A snapshot of life among Barnet’s working class a century ago
Bid for lamppost advertising banners in High Street and other main roads
PVC plastic advertising signs hung from lampposts — including possibly along the full length of Barnet High Street — might become a new way of generating income for Barnet Council.
Continue reading Bid for lamppost advertising banners in High Street and other main roads
Lyonsdown roars!
Barnet Council’s Planning Committee A has agreed unanimously to reject an application to demolish 33 Lyonsdown Road in New Barnet and to replace it with a block of 20 flats.
Life of medieval women features in play celebrating Battle of Barnet anniversary
Bringing to life the daily toll of women working in a medieval kitchen is at the heart of a new play that depicts mounting tension as local inhabitants readied themselves for the 1471 Battle of Barnet.
Continue reading Life of medieval women features in play celebrating Battle of Barnet anniversary
Barnet’s open spaces and local green belt boosted by tree planting
Winter tree planting is in full swing in Barnet’s green spaces and in the surroudning green belt. A new hawthorn hedge has been extended on Barnet Hill.To the north-east of Trent Park, 50,000 young trees are being planted to help restore Enfield Chase. Across the borough, Barnet Council has planted over 700 trees during the last 12 months on roadside pavements and verges.
Continue reading Barnet’s open spaces and local green belt boosted by tree planting
Anger over possible installation of solar panels in Barnet parks and open spaces
Barnet Council’s environment committee is examining the feasibility of using small parks and green spaces across the Borough of Barnet as possible sites for installing solar panels or electricity storage units for renewable energy.
News of the plan – which could result in reduced public access — has met with an angry response from residents and conservationists.
Continue reading Anger over possible installation of solar panels in Barnet parks and open spaces
We will be back, say Battle of Barnet re-enactors
Champions of Barnet’s history, heritage and culture are determined to ensure the town does all it can — despite covid.19 restrictions — to commemorate the 550th anniversary of the Battle of Barnet.
Continue reading We will be back, say Battle of Barnet re-enactors
Appeal to dog owners: breeding season starting for swans and wildfowl
People walking across the Shire London golf course during lockdown are being urged to act responsibly after repeated reports of swans and geese being harassed by dogs running off the lead.
Continue reading Appeal to dog owners: breeding season starting for swans and wildfowl
Barnet historians eager to see 1921 census – and getting ready for 2021
Family historians keen to research the lives of people living in Barnet in the 1920s have only twelve months to wait before the release of the much-anticipated 1921 census and its wealth of information about life in the aftermath of the First World War.
Continue reading Barnet historians eager to see 1921 census – and getting ready for 2021
New brasserie opens as lockdown hits High Street
Just as the New Year lockdown was announced, the proprietors of High Barnet’s newest brasserie, Botannika, went ahead with their planned opening — offering a take-away menu and a range of bread and cakes.
Continue reading New brasserie opens as lockdown hits High Street
Barnet’s Poor Clare nuns plan delayed 50th birthday party in 2021
Lockdown and self-isolation have imposed few significant changes in the daily life of the nuns of the enclosed order of Barnet Poor Clares who this year are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of their monastery in Galley Lane, Arkley.
Continue reading Barnet’s Poor Clare nuns plan delayed 50th birthday party in 2021
End of an era in New Barnet: au revoir, Chez Tonton
A New Barnet institution, the French restaurant Chez Tonton has closed after 37 years — an emotional farewell for proprietors Eric and Claudine Michel, who are known to legions of loyal customers, and who are looking forward to fresh challenges in their retirement.
Continue reading End of an era in New Barnet: au revoir, Chez Tonton
From inspiration to realisation: the greening of Barnet Hill
At the close of 2020, after one of the bleakest years for High Barnet in recent living memory, the long wait for spring should be relieved by the recognition that the local community enjoys perhaps the greenest surroundings of any comparable north London community.
Continue reading From inspiration to realisation: the greening of Barnet Hill
Wide support for ‘NHS heroes’ at Barnet Hospital coping with virus emergency
Boxes of chocolates, gift bags – and volunteering to have on-line chats with lonely dementia patients – are just some of the many ways in which residents have been showing support and solidarity with the medical and ancilliary staff at Barnet Hospital coping with the added pressures of the covid.19 emergency.
Continue reading Wide support for ‘NHS heroes’ at Barnet Hospital coping with virus emergency
Theatre school pupils say ‘the show must go on’
With their performances for Barnet’s Christmas Fayre and their annual pantomime at the Bull Theatre all having to be cancelled because of the covid.19 pandemic, pupils at the Susi Earnshaw Theatre School were still determined that ‘the show must go on’.
Continue reading Theatre school pupils say ‘the show must go on’
New trees and modern management for Monken Hadley Common
Tree planting to sustain Hadley Woods is proving a far simpler task than updating the archaic laws that have governed Monken Hadley Common since the reign of King George III.
Continue reading New trees and modern management for Monken Hadley Common
Another rebuff to gas works flats: Mayor of London says No
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has backed Barnet Council’s decision to reject planning permission for the construction of blocks of flats of up to ten storeys high on the former gas works site at New Barnet.
Continue reading Another rebuff to gas works flats: Mayor of London says No
Food banks across Barnet face twin challenge of Covid-19 and Christmas
Increased unemployment and rising hardship due to covid-19 are putting pressure on food banks across the country: 15 new food banks have opened across the London Borough of Barnet since the start of the pandemic.
Continue reading Food banks across Barnet face twin challenge of Covid-19 and Christmas
Barnet Hospital stretched by delayed opening of new covid-19 ward
A two-month delay in opening a purpose-built new ward for covid-19 patients increased pressure at Barnet Hospital as medical staff struggled to cope with the start of the second wave of the pandemic in the first weeks of the autumn.
Continue reading Barnet Hospital stretched by delayed opening of new covid-19 ward
Is New Barnet’s gasometer about to disappear from landscape?
National Grid has applied to Barnet Council for permission to demolish New Barnet’s redundant gasholder saying it is a safety risk and wants to free up the land for residential development.
Continue reading Is New Barnet’s gasometer about to disappear from landscape?
High Barnet’s claim to London’s oldest timber structure
A medieval timber roof discovered above a vacant shop in Barnet High Street might be as old or even older than the famous hammer-beam roof at Westminster Hall, the oldest building at the Houses of Parliament.
Continue reading High Barnet’s claim to London’s oldest timber structure
Petru Clej posted a comment on Devastating losses for Labour in Barnet Council elections as the authority faces uncertainty with no party in overall control
Mark posted a comment on Barnet High Street has become a showcase for Battle of Barnet banners – a heritage asset which might get international recognition
Art Vandelay posted a comment on High Court backs approval for two travellers’ caravans in a Mays Lane paddock once used for grazing horses
Atlas Greenward posted a comment on Redevelopment of Dollis Valley estate to be restarted after two year delay following go ahead for construction of 221 new homes